Hook construction



July 4, 1961 w, BECHER, JR 2,991,037

HOOK CONSTRUCTION Q Filed May 26, 1960 l7 l3 INVENTOR.

Willia/m/ Becker, J1: F 0 9. 3 BY Fm, M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,991,037 'HOOK CONSTRUCTION r WilliamBecher, Jr., 3533 Parkridge'Circle NW.,

Canton, Ohio Filed May 26, 1960, Ser. No. 31,857

4 Claims. ((31.248-211) V I My invention relates to improvements in hookconstruction, and more specifically to a ladder hook construction forsupporting containers, such as buckets and paint cans, on the rungs ofladders in a new and unique fashion. Even more specifically, myinvention relates to a hook construction for supporting containers, suchas buckets and paint cans, on the rungs of ladders in such a manner thatthe bucket or paint can is positioned supported at the outer side of aside rail of the ladder in a secure manner.

Many prior constructions of hooks have been used for supporting varioustypes of receptacles on the rungs of ladders, for'instance for thepurpose of picking fruit from trees and painting various types ofstructures. One such early and commonly used form of construction is tofashion a double hook from heavy wire, that is, in a generally S-shape,whereby the upper hook engages over a rung of a ladder and the lowerhook may be engaged by the bale or handle of a container, therebysupporting the container on ladder in a position to be used.

The prime difliculty with this form of ladder hook is that the containeris supported on the rung of the ladder between the side rails thereof.Thus, the person using the container must stand directly over the sameand it is diflicult and awkward to gain access to the inner confines ofthe container.

Various forms of improvements have been provided over this simple, veryearly, form of hook construction and certain of these have attempted tosupport the container outwardly adjacent one of the side rails of theladder. For instance, one such improved form is fabricated from a singlepiece of metal, and is provided with a hook for engaging a rung of theladder, a generally U- shaped portion of set dimensions connected to thehook and engaging over a side rail of the ladder, with finally astraight laterally extending member connected to the U-shaped memberlaterally outwardly of the ladder side rail for supporting the containerthrough engagement with the bale or handleithereof.

One major difliculty with this prior improved form of hook constructionis that side rails on ladders have various lateral thickness, dependingon the material from which the ladder is constructed and also dependingon the length of the ladder. Thus, unless this improved hookconstruction is fabricated for a particular construction of ladder, theU-shaped member thereof will not properly engage the side rail of theladder and the container will not be securely supported at the side ofthe ladder.

Another major difliculty with this prior improved form of hookconstruction is that this construction is a single purpose hook, thatis, it can be used'merely for the purpose of attempting to support acontainer laterally outwardly of the side of the ladder. It, therefore,is a single "ice -It is, therefore, a general object of the presentinvention to provide an improved hook construction for use with laddersand the like which overcomes the diificulties and disadvantages of theprior constructions as discussed above. a

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a hookconstruction for ladders and the like which may be used to supportvarious forms of containers'laterally outwardly of the side rail ofaladder in order to place the container in a convenient position-foruse.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hookconstruction for ladders and the'like which purpose hook useable for onespecific purpose and is otherwise not useable for supporting containersin other positions, suchas the position in which containers aresupported by the old conventional S-shaped hook.

Finally, another major difficulty with this improved form of hookconstruction is that it is formed rigidly in one piece extending fullyand is therefore extremely bulky. For this reason, this prior improvedform of hook construction must be carried separately and cannot beconveniently carried in a workmans pocket for use as desired.

automatically adjusts for various lateral thickness of side rails on theladders so that, despite the size of the particular ladder side rail,the container is always securely and safely supported thereon. a M a ,7

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hookconstruction for ladders and the like which is universally useable, thatis, for securely'and safely supporting containers laterally outwardlyofeithe'r side rail of a ladder or between the ladder side rails asdesired.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hookconstruction for ladders and the like which may be conveniently foldedto a flat minimum size for easily being placed in a workmans pocket foruse when desired.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hookconstruction for ladders and the like which satisfies all of the aboveobjects in a simple and eflicient manner, yet may be easily fabricated,and provided for use at a nominal expense.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions,arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising the presentinvention, the nature of which is set forth in the following generalstatement, a preferred embodiment of whichillustrative of the best modein which applicant has contemplated applying the principlesis set forthin the following description and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and setforth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the improved hook construction for use on ladders andthe like comprising thepresent invention may be stated as including, arung hook adapted for engagement generally longitudinally over a generallaterally extending rung of a ladder, adjacent one of the generallylongitudinally extending side rails of the ladder. This rung hook ispivotally connected .to generally U- shaped connection means, in theform of a U-shaped connection member having spaced legs and a connectingportion extending between said legs. The rung hook is pivotallyconnected to one of the connection member legs for pivotal movement atleast in a direction toward and away from the ladder side rail, and theconnection member may be positioned with one leg adjacent each of theinner and outer sides of the ladder side railwith the connecting portionadjacent a front face of this side rail.

Still further engagement means is operably connected to the connectionmember leg adjacent the side rail outer side, that is, this engagementmeans is connected to the connection member leg opposite from theconnection member leg to which the rung hook is pivotally connected, forengaging a container supporting the same at the ladder side rail outerside. This connection means is preferably comprised of a second hookwhich may be formed as a part of the connection member leg but ispreferably pivotally connected to the connection member leg for pivotalmovement toward and away from the ladder side rail outer side.

More specifically, the rung hook is preferably generally sheet-like andis wrapped laterally around the connection member leg to provide thepivotal connection therebetween. Further, more specifically the secondhook is preferably likewise formed sheet-like and is also prefer ablywrapped around the other connection member leg to provide the pivotalconnection therebetween. Finally, more specifically the second hookpreferably extends generally laterally, that is, at generally a rightangle to the plane of extension of the rung hook.

By way of example, an embodiment of the improved book construction foruse on ladders and the like of the present invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numeralsindicate similar parts through the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the hook construction of thepresent invention in full lines supporting a bucket laterally outwardlyadjacent the right-hand side rail of a ladder, with the support of thisbucket by the hook construction being shown intermediate the rung of theladder between the side rails thereof and laterally outwardly adjacentthe left-hand side rail thereof in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 2, an enlarged top plan view of the hook construction of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 3, a side elevation of the hook construction of the presentinvention shown in full lines in extended position and in dot-dash linesin folded position.

As shown in the drawings, the hook construction of the present inventionpreferably includes a rung hook, generally indicated at 10, having thehook portion 11 and connector portion 12. As shown, the rung hookpreferably is formed generally sheet-like and is merely wrapped at theconnector portion 12 to form a hollow generally cylinder shape.

A connection member is generally shown at 13 and is generally U-shaped,having the spaced leg portions 14 and 15 connected by the connectingportion 16. The connection member 13 is preferably formed fromconventional rod material so that the leg portions 14 and 15 thereof aregenerally cylindrical in shape.

The engagement hook is generally indicated at 17 having a hook portion18 and a connector portion 19. This engagement hook 17, similar to therung hook '10, is also preferably formed generally sheet-like with theconnector plnrtion 19 being wrapped in hollow generally cylindrical sape.

One major difference, however, between the rung book 10 and theengagement hook 17 is that the respective hook portions 11 and 18 areformed differently, that is, preferably extending in differentdirections and of different shape. Hook portion 11 of the rung hook 10is of a size adapted for engagement over a rung 20 of a ladder 21 and isformed extending in the same general plane as the connector portion 12of this rung hook. The hook portion 18 of the engagement hook 17,however, is formed of a smaller size, adapted for engagement with thebale 22 of a container, such as the bucket 23, and is formed extendingnormal to or generally perpendicular to the connector portion 19 of thisengagement hook.

In assembly of the hook construction of the present invention, once therung hook 10 and connection member 13 have been formed, it is merelynecessary to insert the connection member leg portion 14 telescopedthrough the rung hook connector portion 12, with the end 24 of legportion 14 then being enlarged, as shown, in any usual manner to retainrung hook 10 and connection member 13 pivotally assembled. Theengagement hook 17 is telescopically assembled with the connectionmember leg portion 15 in the same manner, with the end 25 of leg portion15 likewise being enlarged in any usual manner to retain the engagementhook 17 and connection member 13 pivotally assembled, as shown.

Thus, as shown in the drawings, when the hook construction of thepresent invention in its preferred form is in flat fully extendedposition, the rung hook '10 extends one plane and the engagement hook.17 extends in this same general plane, with both of these hooks beingpivotal normal to this plane through the pivotal connections with theconnection member 13. Furthermore, the hook portion 11 of the rung hook10 opens in this same plane, whereas the engagement book 17 preferablyopens normal to this plane.

With the preferred form of the hook construction of the presentinvention engaged over the rung 20 of a ladder 21 in its usual workingposition, for instance as shown in the center of FIG. 1 intermediate thelength of the rung 20, the rung hook 10 opens rearwardly and downwardlyand extends generally longitudinally, being connected to the connectionmember leg 14 for lateral pivotal movement. The U-shaped connectionmember 13 opens rearwardly and the leg portion 15 thereof is pivotallyconnected to the engagement hook 17 for lateral pivotal movement.Finally, the hook portion 18 of the engagement hook 17 preferably openslaterally.

As shown in FIG. 3 in dot-dash lines, in the preferred form of the hookconstruction of the present invention, the engagement hook 17 may bepivoted to assume a position within the confines of the connectionmember 13, and then the rung hook 10 may be likewise pivoted to overlieand extend across both the engagement hook 17 and connection member 13.Thus, in this folded position, the preferred form of the hookconstruction occupies a minimum of space and may be easily carried inthe pocket of a workman for use as desired.

As is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the hook construction of thepresent invention is universally useable for supporting a bucket orother container on a ladder at virtually any position. As shown, thehook construction may be used at the right-hand side of the ladder withthe rung hook 10 engaged over the rung '20 of the ladder 21 inwardlyadjacent the inner side of the right-hand side rail 26, with theconnection member 13 engaged over the right-hand side rail 26, and withthe engagement hook 17 adjacent the outer side of the right-hand siderail 26 and engaging the bale 22 of a bucket.

Furthermore, the hook construction, as illustrated at the center of FIG.1, may be used as a straight double hook with the rung hook 10 engagedover the rung 20 and the connection member 13 and engagement hook 17extending substantially straight downwardly to support bucket 23.Finally, as shown at the left of FIG. 1, the rung hook 10 may be engagedover the rung 20 adjacent the inner side of the left-hand side rail 27,with the connection member 13 engaged over the left-hand side rail 27,and with the engagement hook 17 positioned adjacent the outer side ofthe left-hand side rail 27 engaged with the bale 22 of the bucket 23.

Thus, with the hook construction of the present invention, a bucket orother container may be supported outwardly adjacent either side rail ofa ladder or between the side rails of the ladder. Furthermore, when acontainer is being supported outwardly adjacent either of the side railsof the ladder, the connection member 13 is free to pivot with referenceto the rung hook 10 and engagement hook 17, and securely engage andwedge the particular side rail over which it is positioned. This notonly makes the hook construction virtually universally useable for anywidth of ladder side rail, but at the same time firmly engages theparticular side rail to securely support the container.

It is further pointed out, as is clearly shown in FIG. 1, when acontainer, such as the bucket 23, having a pivotally connected bale,such as the bale 22, is supported outwardly adjacent either of theladder side rails, the bale 22 is pivoted toward this side rail, therebyexposing a large percentage of the confines of the bucket 23. Thisprovides greatly increased convenience for using the bucket'2'3 in viewof the convenient entry into the same without interference from the bale22.

Although, the preferred embodiment of the hook construction of thepresent invention is illustrated and described as having the rung hookand engagement hook 17 formed of sheet-like wrapped construction, andthe connection member 13 formed merely of bent cylindrical rod, it isobvious that many variations can be made in the construction withoutdeparting from the broad principles of the present invention. It shouldbe understood, therefore, that it is not intended to limit theprinciples of the present invention to the exact particular form shown.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom, be cause such words are used for descriptive purposesherein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated anddescribed herein is by way of example and the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and useof preferred embodiment therefor, and the advantageous new and usefulresults obtained thereby, the new and useful construction and reasonablemechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art areset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Hook construction for use on a ladder having longitudinally extendinglaterally spaced side rails joined by longitudinally spaced laterallyextending rungs, including a rung hook engageable generallylongitudinally over a run adjacent an inner side of a side rail,generally U- shaped connection means having spaced legs and a connectingportion for engagement over said side rail with the legs adjacent saidinner side and an outer side of said side rail and the connectingportion adjacent a front face of said side rail, pivot means connectingthe rung hook to the connection means leg adjacent said side rail innerside for pivotal movement at least in a direction toward and away fromsaid side rail, an engagement hook having an upwardly opening hookportion for engaging a container, and second pivot means connecting theengagement hook to the connection means leg adjacent said side railouter side for pivotal movement at least in a direction toward and awayfrom said side rail; whereby, the weight of the container will wedge theconnection means legs against the side rail sides.

2. Hook construction for use on a ladder having longitudinally extendinglaterally spaced side rails joined by longitudinally spaced laterallyextending rungs, including a sheet-like rung hook extending generallylongitudinally and having a hook portion engageable generallylongitudinally over a rung adjacent an inner side of a side rail,generally U-shaped connection means having generally cylindrical spacedlegs and a connecting portion for engagement over said side rail withthe legs adjacent said inner side and an outer side of said side railand the connecting portion adjacent a front face of said side rail, therung hook having a generally hollow cylindrical wrapped portiontelescoped pivotally over the connection means leg adjacent said siderail inner side for pivotal movement toward and away from said siderail, and engagement means operably connected to the connection meansleg adjacent said side rail outer side for engaging a container;whereby, the weight of the container will wedge the connection meanslegs against the side rail sides.

3. Hook construction for use on a ladder having longitudinally extendinglaterally spaced side rails joined by longitudinally spaced laterallyextending rungs, including a sheetlike rung hook extending generallylongitudinally and having a hook portion engageable generallylongitudinally over a rung adjacent an inner side of a side rail,generally U-shaped connection means having generally cylindrical spacedlegs and a connecting portion for engagement over said side rail withthe legs adjacent said inner side and an outer side of said side railand the connecting portion adjacent a front face of said side rail, therung hook having a generally hollow cylindrical wrapped portiontelescoped pivotally over the connection means leg adjacent said siderail inner side for pivotal movement toward and away from said siderail, a generally sheetlike engagement hook having an upwardly openinghook portion for engaging a container, the engagement hook being wrappedabove the hook portion in a generally hollow cylindrical connectionportion, and the engagement hook connection portion being pivotallytelescoped over the connection means leg adjacent said side rail outerside for pivotal movement toward and away from said side rail; whereby,the weight of the container will wedge the connection means legs againstthe side rail sides.

4. Hook construction as defined in claim 3 in which the hook portion ofthe engagement hook extends and opens upwardly generally normal to theside rail outer side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS982,604 Herring I an. 24, 1911 1,593,043 Stroecker u July 20, 19261,865,283 Sohnle June 28, 1932 2,536,967 Thurgate I an. 2, -1 2,622,833Robinson Dec. 23, 1952

